HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission again discussed the proposed secure entrance to the Reno County Courthouse with no decision made on whether to proceed, however, they have decided to look at other alternatives, including placing metal detectors at the entrance to the Law Enforcement Center, which is on the far west end of the campus.
County Commissioner Brad Dillon made the suggestion just to see how that would work, saying if it doesn’t we can always build an entrance at a later date.
It’s estimated that the cost could increase to as high as $1.7 million, which is well over the amount that the county had budgeted.
If they choose to go that route, the county would then rebid the plans to renovate the old jail, which will be used as an evidence storage area for both the city and county law enforcement. Part of the estimated cost was designated for that.
Judge Joe McCarville is in favor of building the new entrance while Senior Judge William “Buck” Lyle believes there are cheaper alternatives.
That issue will again come before them again next week.